Forbes has announced its ninth annual "30 Under 30 Asia" list, recognizing 300 young leaders across various industries. 

Among the notable honorees is Sri Lankan-born actress and filmmaker Dinara Punchihewa.

Punchihewa gained prominence in Bollywood in 2018 with her short film "Maala," which was showcased at international film festivals. 

Her talent caught the eye of filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, leading to her role in "Gaadi - Children of the Sun" (2019).

Since then, she has appeared in four additional films. A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Punchihewa also founded Punchi Actors, a nonprofit dedicated to introducing theater and acting to children from low-income families.